Climate Masters Blog: Archive for the ‘Heat Pumps’ Category

Heat Pump Repair Guide: Problems with the Reversing Valve

Monday, June 22nd, 2015

Many people ask what the difference is between a heat pump and an air conditioner. The main difference is that a heat pump can both heat and cool a home, whereas an air conditioner just cools a home. The reason for this is a key component called the reversing valve. This valve is specialized for heat pumps, and when issues arise with the reversing valve in your heat pump, there will be operational issues. What kind of problems can arise with the reversing valve? Let’s take a look.

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Why Is My Heat Pump Stuck in Cooling Mode?

Monday, January 5th, 2015

You press the “heat” button on your dual-mode thermostat only to feel cool air come from your heat pump. While we may not be as cold as other parts of the country, our nights are getting chilly, and no one wants to add to that chilly air with more chilly air. Why is your heat pump stuck in the cooling mode? Because something has happened with the reversing valve, and you’ll need to call for heat pump repair in St. Augustine.

What Is the Reversing Valve?

The reversing valve is a component that allows your heat pump to change from heating to cooling and back again by changing the directional flow of the system’s refrigerant. The reversing valve is a medium-sized metal tube with four nozzles – three on the bottom and one on top. There is also a small electronic component on top of the pump called a solenoid. This component helps push the sliding mechanism inside the reversing valve from side to side as needed so that the refrigerant flow can change direction.

A “Stuck” Reversing Valve

The reversing valve is a complex component, and sometimes it can get stuck, either in a mode or in between modes. There a few reasons why a reversing valve can become stuck:

  • A bad solenoid
  • A refrigerant leak
  • A problem with the dual-mode thermostat
  • An issue with the sliding mechanism

The main reason for a solenoid to malfunction is because one or both of the wires in the component fray or become corroded; the good news is that a solenoid can be replaced. But should a refrigerant leak develop within the valve, the valve will need to be replaced. Thermostats can also suffer from frayed and corroded wiring, and they can also malfunction due to too much dust or dirt on the instrumentation. In a worst-case scenario, the thermostat can also be replaced. Lastly, should the sliding mechanism malfunction, there is no way to repair it and the valve will need to be replaced.

If your heat pump is stuck in any way, call for heat pump repair in St. Augustine. The trained experts at Climate Masters can help with any issue you may have, so call us today!

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Signs You Need Heat Pump Replacement Services

Friday, July 18th, 2014

Heat pumps are a great cooling option for the St. Augustine weather. But a heat pump that is too old or that needs frequent repairs simply cannot perform as well as it should. Heat pump replacement is an unavoidable service for heat pump owners, but it’s better to replace now than to pay for a series of costly repairs. But how do you know when it’s the right time for heat pump replacement?

The signs that your system needs replacement can be easy to recognize if you know what to look for. If you notice strange noises or a loss in cooling power, you may need repairs. However, if you need several repairs over a short period of time, a whole-system replacement may be more cost-effective than repairing every part individually.

The fact is that an older system is at a greater risk for sudden failure than a newer system. Some problems can be fixed with a couple of repairs, but especially if your system is over ten years old, replacement may be the best option as a new heat pump is much less likely to break down in the middle of summer.

Certain problems may indicate an improperly sized unit that needs replacement. If you have problems with humidity control, for example, or if you notice uneven cooling throughout your home, you may need heat pump replacement sooner than you’d hoped. To avoid these problems with your new system, make sure your technician sizes your home to determine the proper cooling capacity.

Another indication that replacement may be your best option is high energy bills. While these may be a sign that your refrigerant is low or that a part needs repairs, the problem is sometimes irreparable. The best way to keep energy bills low is with regular maintenance by a technician to restore efficiency. However, an older system will lose efficiency over time and may never improve with maintenance. A new system may be more energy efficient and actually help to lower your monthly bills.

If you have high energy bills or need excessive repairs, your best bet may be a new system.

If you require professional heat pump replacement in St. Augustine, call the experts at Climate Masters today to talk to a professional technician.

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Advantages of Replacing Your Old HVAC System with a Heat Pump

Friday, May 9th, 2014

A Florida summer is nothing to take lightly: you never want to head into one with a faulty, decrepit air conditioner about to sputter its last at any moment. If you have an air conditioning system that matches that description, or if it has already exceeded its manufacturer’s estimated lifespan, then you should grab these tapering weeks of spring to schedule a new installation.

However, you do not need to install another air conditioner. You have another option: a heat pump. There are some major advantages to opting for heat pump installation in St. Augustine, FL rather than a standard air conditioner.

Call Climate Masters today to talk to one of our trained HVAC installers abut heat pumps vs. air conditioners. Your home may be ideal for a heat pump, and if it is, you should let our experienced technicians handle the job of installing it for you before the summer arrives.

The heat pump advantage

The #1 benefit of having a heat pump in your home is that it solves two problems at once. A heat pump is both an air conditioning system and a heating system. It isn’t a packaged unit with a separate AC and heater put together; a heat pump uses the same action—moving heat from one location to another—to deliver heating and cooling. When you have a heat pump installed, you won’t need to have a furnace or boiler installed as well.

When it comes to heating, Florida is well-suited to take full advantage of a heat pump. Locations that experience cold climates can pose trouble for heat pumps, since they will struggle to remove sufficient heat from the outdoor air to move indoors. However, Florida rarely experiences low temperatures that could make the heat pump’s job difficult.

You’ll save money on your heating bills with a heat pump working for you. Because heat pumps do not burn energy to create heat, instead using a smaller amount of electricity to move heat from one place to another, they are more energy-friendly than furnaces or boilers. A family of four can save 30% off their energy bills with the switch from a furnace to a heat pump.

As far as their air conditioning power, heat pumps are the equal of any standalone AC of comparable size. You won’t sacrifice any comfort for the summer when you replace your current system with a heat pump, and you’ll also have your heating covered as well.

Find out if a heat pump is the best choice

A heat pump isn’t ideal for every home, since there is no such thing as a “one size fits all” HVAC system.

You can contact Climate Masters today to find out if you have one of those homes. Let us take care of you this summer with quality heat pump installation in St. Augustine, FL.

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Why You Should Use a Heat Pump

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014

The heat pump… a remarkable machine. The heat pump uses a simple concept—basically, creating a reversible air conditioner—to give homeowners a two-in-one answer to their comfort needs. During the summer, you set the heat pump to cooling mode, and just like an AC it cycles refrigerant through an indoor and an outdoor coil to remove the heat from your home and place it outside. But when colder weather comes along (or as cold as it gets in Florida), you set the heat pump to heating mode, and now the refrigerant direction reverses. Presto! Heat moved from outside and brought inside.

Heat pumps have some disadvantages, but a heat pump for your home in St. Augustine, FL will experience almost none of them. That’s why we think they’re great choices for installation here. To schedule an appointment for quality heat pump installation, call Climate Masters today and speak to one of our heat pump specialists.

The Heat Pump Advantage

You already know the main advantage of a heat pump: it takes care of the jobs of both a heater and an air conditioner. That’s money saved and space saved. And heat pumps hook up to the existing ductwork for your air conditioner (and furnace, if you used one), making them easy to install for professionals. If you don’t have ducts, the heat pump has you taken care of as well: ductless mini split heat pumps need no ductwork at all.

A specific reason that heat pumps are such good ideas for Florida is because of our climate. First of all, during cooling mode, the process of heat absorption along the indoor coil also removes moisture from the air, helping to control humidity. Second, heat pumps do not encounter a problem they often face in cold climates: struggling to extract sufficient heat from outdoors during heating mode. In places where the temperatures can drop well below freezing, a heat pump will lose efficiency. In Florida, however, we almost never have this problem. Heat pumps are ideal no matter the time of year.

Finally, heat pumps offer savings on your heating bill. You’re used to your AC costing less to run than a furnace or a boiler. That’s because those heaters must burn fuel to create heat. But a heat pump is just like an AC: no fuel burnt to create heat, only a small amount of electricity to run the mechanical parts so heat can be moved. An average family of four can save up to 30% on their heating bills each year if they switch to a heat pump.

Sounds Great! When Can I Get One?

We need to slow you down a bit. Heat pumps are fantastic choices for home comfort… but they still won’t work for every home. Call on Climate Masters today to find out about how well a heat pump in St. Augustine, FL will work for you.

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Why Does a Heat Pump Need Refrigerant?

Sunday, December 15th, 2013

Living in St. Augustine means long, humid summers and mild but occasionally stormy winters. In this climate, a heat pump offers many advantages as a solution to your year-round comfort requirements: it provides effective air conditioning during the hot weather, and energy-efficient heat for the shorter cold weather season.

If you know something about how a heat pump operates, then you’ll know that it uses a chemical compound known as refrigerant. We’ll explain in this post why a heat pump needs something called “refrigerant” even when it is in heating mode.

If you are thinking of having a heat pump installed, or if you need heat pump maintenance and repairs in St. Augustine, FL, contact Climate Masters for quality service today.

Refrigerant and your heat pump

Refrigerant is a generic term for the mixture of chemicals that allows for the heat pump to move heat from one location to another, which is called heat exchange. In the earliest days of air conditioners, refrigerant was often a toxic or combustible chemical like ammonia or methyl chloride. Modern heat pumps and ACs use safer compounds (known as “blends”); the most common blend in use today is R401A, which has no ozone depletion issues.

Refrigerant changes easily between being a liquid and a gas, which is why it is useful for heat exchange in a heat pump. As the refrigerant flows through a heat pump, moving from the outdoor to the indoor coils, it absorbs and releases heat as it switches from a liquid to a gas. During heating mode for a heat pump, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoors (evaporation) and then releases it indoors (condensation). A compressor serves as the “motor” for the refrigerant, compressing it into a high temperature gas at the beginning of the heat exchange cycle.

Refrigerant remains at a fixed level inside a heat pump. The process of evaporation and condensation does not use it up. However, leaks can develop in the compressor or along the refrigerant line, causing the level of refrigerant (its “charge”) to drop. This will adversely affect the heating and cooling capability of the heat pump. It requires a professional to seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant.

If you have trouble with a heat pump that is either struggling with heating or cooling, than a refrigerant leak may be the issue. Call on repair experts like Climate Masters to handle it. We can attend to any troubles that might pop up in your heat pump in St. Augustine, FL, anyS time of the day or night.

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Common Heat Pump Noises to Listen For

Friday, November 1st, 2013

Heat pumps offer tremendous benefits for homeowners in Florida, where they supply superlative cooling during the long hot and humid season, and the right amount of heating during the short winter season. Because heat pumps will work for us around the year, whether helping beat the heat or tolerate the cold, they can wear down quickly and begin to develop repair needs.

Heat pumps often make unusual noises when they need repairs. Here are a few to listen for that may indicate you have to call in an HVAC specialists to look over your system. For quality heat pump repair in St. Augustine, FL, contact the experts at Climate Masters. Since 1988, people have looked to us for dependable service for all their comfort systems. You can learn more about Climate Masters here, or feel free to give us a call for more information.

Pay attention to these heat pump noises:

Grinding during start-up: If you hear a harsh grinding sound when your heat pump comes on, then it could be “hard starting” because of a problem in the compressors—a heat pump uses two different compressors, so you will need a professional to find out which one is having difficulty.

Clanging and striking: The likely culprit here is a loose blower fan belt. A heat pump uses different fans to move air for the condensation and evaporation processes; if the fan belt develops damage or cracks, it could come loose and start hitting against other components. This needs to be addressed immediately, before the belt starts to cause more damage. The noise could also come from loose motor mounts.

Hissing: This usually indicates a leak in the refrigerant, which is responsible for the heat exchange that allows your heat pump to heat and cool your home. If you can hear it, it is probably a large leak and you won’t have a working heat pump for long. Get a professional to seal the leaks and recharge the lost refrigerant.

Humming and buzzing: There are a few reasons for hearing this sound (usually within the outdoor unit). One is that the run capacitor which keeps the motors operating has developed a fault. It could also indicate a stuck relay or a motor on the verge of a burnout.

Regardless of the noise, if you think it means that your heat pump requires repair, don’t try to get the work done yourself with a standard toolkit and an online DIY guide. Get a professional to diagnose the problem and offer a remedy. Contact Climate Masters for heat pump repair in St. Augustine, FL—any time of the day or night.

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